Desnoyers is among the top 2025 NHL Draft prospects to play for Canada in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup

CALGARY — Caleb Desnoyers, a potential first-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, was one of 22 players selected to represent Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

The tournament, featuring some of the best players under the age of 18, will be held in Edmonton from August 5 to 10. Canada has won the tournament for the past two years and 24 times since 1991.

“We see a lot of scouts,” Desnoyers said. “That’s probably the first part of our season, our draft year. It’s fun. Guys want to prove themselves. But you have to keep playing your game and not do too much and just be yourself, and scouts will see you the right way, the way you are.”

Desnoyers (6-foot-1, 178 pounds) was named to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League All-Rookie Team last season after recording 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists) in 60 games for Moncton. The 17-year-old center also had five points (one goal, four assists) in five games at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, helping Canada win the gold medal.

“Here’s a player who looks really competitive,” said Kris Mallette, who will coach Canada at the tournament. “He fights and competes really hard. He’s got that skill. We talk about soft skill and hard skill. Here’s a player who wants the puck and will do whatever it takes to get it. His demeanor is really personable. He steps up and asks the right questions. He wants to be a leader, and right now he’s doing that by example.”

Desnoyers wasn’t the only potential first-round pick in the 2025 draft to make the selection. He’ll be joined by defencemen Matthew Schaefer of Erie (Ontario Hockey League), Reese Hamilton of Calgary (Western Hockey League) and Jackson Smith of Tri-City (WHL), as well as forwards Cole Reschny of Victoria (WHL) and Jake O’Brien of Brantford (OHL).

“It will be fun to see how much youth, enthusiasm and skill there is,” Mallette said.

Gavin McKenna, who is expected to be a top pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, was also named to the roster. The 16-year-old forward was named the Canadian Hockey League Rookie of the Year last season after recording 97 points (34 goals, 63 assists) in 61 games for Medicine Hat (WHL). He also had 20 points (10 goals, 10 assists) in seven games at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship.

“McKenna is an exceptional talent who … is the front-runner for the 2026 NHL Draft class,” said NHL Central Scouting Director Dan Marr. “Gavin has the elite skills and intelligence to be the heartbeat of any team he competes with and is looking to add to his gold medal run at the Hlinka Gretzky Tournament.”

Desnoyers said: “He’s unique. He’s so smart, so skilled, so fast. Everything he does is twice as fast as anyone else. He’s just so good with the puck, and the way he thinks about the game makes him so special. He’s also a good guy, on and off the ice. It makes him fun to play with.”

CANADA HLINKA ROSTER

GOALKEEPERS: Jack Ivankovic, Brampton, OHL (2025 draft eligible); Lucas Beckman, Baie-Comeau, QMJHL (2025 draft eligible).

DEFENDERS: Jackson Smith, Tri-City, WHL (eligible for the 2025 draft); Peyton Kettles, Swift Current, WHL (eligible for the 2025 draft); Matthew Schaefer, Erie, OHL (eligible for the 2025 draft); Reese Hamilton, Calgary, WHL (eligible for the 2025 draft); Quinn Beauchesne, Guelph, OHL (eligible for the 2025 draft); Alex Huang, Chicoutimi, QMJHL (eligible for the 2025 draft); Cameron Reid, Kitchener, OHL (eligible for the 2025 draft).

FORWARD: Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat, WHL (2026 draft eligible); Jake O’Brien, Brantford, OHL (2025 draft eligible); Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL (2025 draft eligible); Emile Guite, Chicoutimi, QMJHL (2025 draft eligible); Tyler Hopkins, Kingston, OHL (2025 draft eligible); Cole Reschny, Victoria, WHL (2025 draft eligible); Ethan Czata, Niagara, OHL (2025 draft eligible); Benjamin Kindel, Calgary, WHL (2025 draft eligible); Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver, WHL (2025 draft eligible); Liam Kilfoil, Halifax, QMJHL (2025 draft eligible); Luca Romano, Kitchener, OHL (2025 draft eligible); Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton, QMJHL (2025 draft eligible); Braeden Cootes, Seattle, WHL (2025 draft eligible).